Reflector signal



Sept. 22, 1931. v. OESTNAES REFLECTOR SIGNAL Filed Nov. 11, 1926 l v a I N VEN TOR.

A TTORNE Y.

Patented Sept. 22, 1931 VICTOR L. OESTNAES, OF WES'IFIELD, NEW\JEBSEY, ASSIGNOR 1'0 PATENT oFFIca O'UMULATOB COMPANY, OF EIZABETH, NEW JERSEY, A CORPORATION OF NEW REFLECTOR SIGNAL My invention relates to reflector signals,

more particularly to signals adapted for use upon roads, streets and the like and in which central triple reflectors are'einployed as the reflecting means.

A The general objectyof the invention is to provide an improved and novel construction of means for supporting a group of reflectors firmly and securely in deslred fixed cooperative relation with respect to each other.

It also is an object of the invention to pro vide a novel construction of reflector comprising a group of operativly related reflectors and a difi'using medium in combination with a central element adapted not only to support, but to connect ad oining portions of the reflectors together in a rigid unitary structure.

Another object of the invention is to so combine the said central support with the light difiusing element that said central support operates as at protecting means to pro-.

tect the said diffusing element against the likelihood of fracture or breakage.

ther objects and advantages of the invention will be pointed out in the detailed description thereof which follows on will be I apparent from such description.

' illustrated one form of a convenient mechan- In order that the invention may be readily understood and its many practical advantages appreciated reference may be had to the accompanying drawings in which I have ical embodiment of the same. However,- it will be understood that the invention is susceptible of embodiment in various forms of construction within the scope of'the claims and without departing from the principle thereof.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a view in which one part of the structure is shown in front elevation, while the other part is shown with a portion broken away in order that parts which otherwise would have been concealed may be exposed;

I Fig. 2 is a horizontal transverse sectional view taken on the line 22 of Fig. 1;

. lFig. 3 'is a view in front elevation of the central portion of the signal with the diffusupper ed AMERICAN GASAC- Fig. 4 is a view in sectional elevation taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. 1;

ig. 5 is a viewin front elevation of a radially corrugated washer which acts 'as a binding or holding member; I v

Fig. 6 is a view in edge elevation thereof;

Fig. 7 is a view in top plan of the central orting column or element; 1g.'8 is a view in side elevat on of the upper portion thereof; A 1

Fig; 9 is a view in rear elevation of a portion of the pot or container within which the reflectors are mounted, the'said portion beingshown for the purpose of illustrating a ventilating means; J

Fig. 10 is a vertical sectiont'aken on the line 10- -10 of Fig. 9; and

Fig. 11 is a view in cross-section of a fragmentary portion of adjoining reflectors indicating the manner in which side flanges on the respectve reflectors overlap each other. a

,In the drawings it will be noted that I have provided a supporting column 1, only a portion of which is shown, upon which the reflector signal is mounted.

The signal comprises a pan-shaped pot or' terial having'flaring sides, as shown. It is provided upon its rear side with an indented 0r inset portion 3 of arcu'ate shape in crosssection, as shown, within which a portion of the supporting column 1 is seated. The containermay-be secured to the post 1 by means of a strap 5, in the manner as is clearly shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings.

The reflector construction as illustrated comprises six hollow centraltriple reflectors 10. The inner surfaces of these reflectors are light reflecting and the respective reflecting surfaces of each reflector are arranged at right angles to each other. These surfaces have the same relation to each other" as the surfaces of one'corner of a. cube.

These reflectors are arranged in the container 2 radially with respect to the axis thereof. This arrangement is quite clearly shown in Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings. The e of the outer side .(having refer.-

container 2 of metal or other suitable mai shown) of 1 0 90 ing element removed; ence to. t e reflector structure as each reflector is provided with a flange 11. These flanges rest upon ledges 12 formed mtermediate the top and bottom of the side wall of the container 2. The two other sides; that is the inner sides a and b of each reflector, meet each other to form a right angle and these two sides terminate at a point, as shown. The several reflectors are arranged about the central axis of the container 2, as indicated in Fig. 1 of thedrawings. The corners of the inner ends of each triple reflector are seated in radial downwardly inclined notches formed in the upper end of the supporting column 16. The outer or rear end. thereof contacts with the inner surface of the arcuate shaped portion 3 of the container 2, previously referred to. In assembling the reflectors within the container 2 the container is held in flat position with its open side facing upwardly. The column 16 is held in proper position and the reflectors then vplaced in position with the outer flanges 11 restin upon the ledge 12 and the corners formed by'the angular relation of the sides a and b of each reflector seated within the notches 15. It is convenient that the reflectors be placed in position alternately so that, for instance, when there are sixreflectors employed as in the present construction the central radial lines of the three reflectors first placed in position as suggested would be separated from each other by 120.'

The presence of these three reflectors in position as stated operates to hold the central support 16 in position while the remaining three reflectors are placed in position and secured together, as will be hereinafter described. The edges of the sides a and b of the reflectors are provided with outwardly extending flanges 17 which overlap. each other, as indicated intheidrawin'gs.

The reflectors having been placed in position as suggested it will benoted that the inner'ends thereof form in effect a circle about the central axis of the supporting post or column 16. 'A radial corrugated washer 20 is then placed in position with the corrugations thereof fitting within the angles between the sides a and b of each deflector 10. Preferably a layer of felt 21 is then placed over the corrugated washer 20. Upon the felt layer a flat metal washer 22 is placed and upon the latter a layer of felt 23 or other suit able material; These various layers of felt and washers are provided with central openings through which a headed screw 25 extends, the inner end. of which has screwthreaded engagement with the screw-threaded axial opening 26 in the outer end portion of the post or column 16. Upon tightening the screw 25 it will be apparent that the inner 'end portions of the reflectors are firmly clamped between the surfaces of the notches l5 and the portions of the corrugations of the angles between the sides a and b of the respective reflectors. The reflectors are thus rigidly and firmly secured together to form a rigid unitary reflector structure mounted within the container 2.

Preferably a diffusing sheet or element 30 of suitable material is mounted within the outer edge portion of the container 2. The function of the said sheet as a part of a re flector structure is well known and need not be dilated upon herein.

Interposed between the outer edge portion of the reflectors 10 and the container 2 are cushioning-strips 31 and 32. The diffusing sheet or element 30 rests upon or against the said cushioning strips The central portion of the diffusing sheet or element 30 rests against a cushioning block 33 mounted upon the felt layer23, previously referred to. The yielding character of the cushioning strips 31 and 32 and the block 33 providesa factor of safety to aid in the prevention of breakage or fracturing of the diffusing sheet or element 30 (which usually is of glass).

For the purpose of holding the diffusing the outer edge portions of the diffusing sheet and also tostrengthen the structure as a whole I have provided the metal frame which fits over the outer edge of the container and the outer edge of the diffusing sheet or element 30 and is secured to the flange 35 by means of bolts 41 which are provided at intervals, as shown. The inner edge of the frame 40 is provided with an inwardly turned strengthening narrow flange 42, which, however,.preferably should not contact with the sheet 30.

The outer edge of the said frame (which is of sheet metal) is provided with a rearwardly extending flange 4.3 which extends over and conceals and protects the joint between the frame 40 and the outer or front edge of the container 2 and also conceals the clips 36 as i well as the o1nt,-between'the container 2 and the diffusing sheet or element 30.

In structures of this character it is desirable that the interior thereof be ventilated, otherwise the reflecting surfaces of the reflectors are liable to become covered with a coating of moisture, whereby their utility as reflectingsurfaces is destroyed. For the pur pose of effecting ventilation of the interior of the container 2 I have provided the rear or bottom thereof with an opening 45 over Wh1ch a ventilating hood 46 is secured. This hood 1s mounted so as to prevent the entry same time to permit the free passage of air or vapor through the said opening. A screen 47 is held in place over the said opening by .means of the said hood, the latter being secured in position by means of screws 48;

In the construction as illustrated embodying my invention I have shownhollow cen-- tral triple reflectors, but I desire it to be understood that my invention is not limited tb reflectors of this particular type or construction and that changes 'in'tlie details of the construction of the reflecting means may -be varied within the scope of the claims without departing from the invention or the principle thereof. It will be seen that by my invention I have provided means whereby the assembling of the reflectors together in the relation to each other as shown is facilitated and also means whereby the said reflectors may be joinedvtogether to constitute a rigid unitary structural eflect. i

It also will be seen that I have provided a structure in which the inner portions of the reflectors adjoining and surrounding the axis of the signal are bound, together and supported by means of a centrally located supporting post or column and also that the said post or column provides means whereby the light difi'using sheet or element 30 may be protected in'a way to greatly lessen the percentage of breakage.

. Although as illustrated thestructure embodyingmy'invention comprises six triple reflectors, yet it will be understood that the number of these reflectors may be decreased or diminished within reasonable limits without departing from the invention or the princi le thereof.

aving thus described my invention," what I claim and desire'to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A reflectorsignal comprising a plurality of reflectors arranged about an axis,

-means located coincidentally with the said axis and contacting with the rear sides of portions of the said reflectors adjoining the saidaxis and aiding in the support of-the same, and means for rigidly connecting the said reflectors to the first-named means.

2JA reflector signal comprising a container of pan shape, triple reflectors located within said container, the said reflectors being arranged about the central axis of said container and extending radiall therefrom, means for retaining the 'said re ectors within the said container, and means located coincidentally with the said central axis and rigidly connected with the portions of said reflectors adjoining the axis of said container and operating to support the same.

3. A reflector signal comprising, in combination, a container having flaring walls, a

post located in axial position with respect said container.

to the said container, the rear inner end thereof contacting with the bottom of said container and the-outer .end thereof being provided with'notches arranged side by side and radially with respect to the axis of the said container, central triple reflectors mounted within the said container intermediate the said post and the walls of the said container, the outer edge portions of the said reflectors being supported upon the said walls and the inner ends thereof fitting within the notches upon the said post or column, means for securing the inner ends of the said reflectors to the said post or column, and means for retaining the said reflectors and the post within the said container. 4. A reflector signal comprising, in combination, a container, a post mounted in the said container axially thereof,.. one end of the said post resting against the bottom of the said container and the opposite outer end thereof being provided with notches arranged side by side and extending radially, hollow central triple reflectors located'within the said container intermediate the said post and the walls of the said container, the outer portions of said reflectors being seated against portions of the walls of the said container and the inner end portions thereof being seated within the radial notches in the said post, means cooperating with the notches of the said post for securing the said reflec' tors to the said post, and means for retain ing the said post and reflec ors within the a 5. A reflector signal comprising, in combination, acontainer, a post located within the said container axially thereof with its inner end in contact withv the bottom of said container, hollow triple reflectors located within the said contalner intermediate the said post and the side walls thereof, and means for detachably connecting the inner portions of the said-reflectors to the outer end of the said post.

6. A reflector signal comprising, in combination, a container, a post located within the said container axially thereof, the inner end ofsaid post contacting with the bottom of the said container, the outer end of the said post being provided with radially extending notches, hollow triple reflectors located within the said container intermediate the side walls thereof and the said post, the

inner ends of the angularly related sides of the said reflectors being seated within the said notches, a corrugated washer mounted over the outer end of the said post or column and overlapping the inner. ends of the said reflectors and having its corrugations extended into the angles between the adjoining inner sides of each reflector, means having detachable connection with the said post for clamping the said corrugated washer against the said reflectors to connect the same with the said post, ablock of cushioning material mounted upon the said post outside of the sald corrugated Washer and outside of the means for securing the latter to the said post,

portion of the rear side of said lightdiifusing sheet for aiding in supporting the latter. v

13. A light reflector signal, comprising a strips of cushioning material located within container, a reflector mounted in said con- 70 the'contamer inwardly of the topedge portainer, a light-difl'using sheet mounted on tions of the walls thereof, a light diffusing said container and supported thereby and besheet seated against the said block and strips ing located in front of'said reflector, a post of cushioning material, and means for retain-,

ing the said diffusing sheet and the said post and the said reflectors within the said container, substantially as described.

7. A reflector signal comprising a contain or having a ventilating opening therein, lightreflecting -means mounted within the said container and facing outwardly, means for retaining the said light reflecting meanswithin the said container, and means cooperating 'with the said ventilatin opening to prevent the entry of Water thereinto and at the same time permitting the free passage of air or vapor therethrough.

8. A reflector signal, comprising a 0011 tainer, a reflector mounted therein and supported by a portion thereof, said reflector comprising a plurality of triple reflector units arranged around the axis of said container in contiguous relation to each other and extending radially from said axis, and means extending forwardly from the rear side of said container and being in engagement with ortions of the sa d reflector in adjoining reation to said axis forsupporting said reflector against movement inwardly of the said container. r

9. A light reflect-or signal, comprising a container, triple reflectors located insaid conta-iner arranged around a central axis in contiguous relation to each other, and sepa-- rate means engaging portions of said reflectors in-adjoining relation to said axis for supporting said reflectors in said container.

10. A light reflector signal, comprising a container, a plurality of reflectors located in said container and arranged around a central axis, and separate means engaging portions of two sides of each ofsaid reflectors adj oining said axis for supporting the same in said container.

11. A light signal reflector comprising a container, a plurality of reflectorsinsaid cont iner arranged around a central point and aving overlapping edges, and means engaging the central front end portions of said edges for supporting said reflectors in the said. container. against movement toward the bottom thereof. 1 j

', 12. A light reflector signal, comprising a container, a reflector mounted in said concontacting at its rear end with the bottqmf of said container and at its front end with I the central portion of said reflector, and cushioning means interposed between the front end of said last named means and the said light-diflusing sheet, said cushioning means being in contact with said light-diffusing sheet.

14. A light reflector signal comprising a container, a plurality of reflectors located in said container, a light-diffusing sheet mounted in operative relation to said reflectors, means for engaging the rear sides of portions of the said reflectors, and cushioning means interposed, between said last named means and the said light-diffusing sheet for aiding in supporting the latter.

'15. A reflector signal comprising a con tainer having a ventilating opening therein,

reflector mounted in said container, and means cooperating with the said ventilating opening to prevent the entry ofwater thereinto yet permitting the passage of air and vapor therethrough.

16. A reflector signal head, comprising a container, reflectors located in said containe t,

a light-diffusing sheet mounted in front of said reflectors, means. for securing said difl'using sheet in position, and means for protecting the outer edge portion of said diffusing sheet. L

17. A reflector signal head, comprising reflectors and a light-diffusing sheet, a containr for receiving said reflectors and diflusing sheet having a flange on its outer edge, means on said flange for securing said reflectors and diflusing sheet in position, and no means for protecting the outer edge portion of said diffusing sheet.

18. A reflector signal head, comprisingreflectors and a light-diffusing sheet, a container for receiving said reflectors and diffusing sheet and having a flange on its outer edge, means for securing said reflectors and diflusing sheet in position, and means for protecting the outer edge portion of said diffusing 120 sheet.

A 19. A reflector signal, comprising a plural ity of reflectors arranged about an axis, means located coincidentally with the said .60 tainer, a light-diffusing sheet mounted on axisflnd wlth Sides i said container and supported by portions DQ of the {eflectors l g h thereof, means engaging the'central portions ald axls-flll'd aldlng'ln the support of said ofsaid reflector for supporting said central reflectors, a holdlng member in engagement ortions, and cushioning means interposed with the front sides of the said portions of tween said last named means and the centhe said reflectors, and means for connecting the said holding member with the first named means and clamping it against the front sides of said portions to connect the said reflectors to the said first named means.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my invention, I have hereunto signed my name this 8th day of November, A. D. 1926.

VICTOR L. OESTNAES. 

